Dot Pad

Product Type:
Tactile Braille Display
Prototype

Areas of Application:
- Visual Impairment
- Blindness

Description:
The Dot Pad consists of 2,400 pens in a pixel-like grid that can be quickly moved up or down to form letters in Braille or easily identifiable shapes. This provides space for 300 Braille glyphs, plus 20 more in a conventional spacing below. The device also integrates directly with Apple's VoiceOver screen reading feature, allowing reading of text, symbol labels, diagrams or simple images.
The microdrive uses electromagnetism. This differs from piezoelectric actuators (the technology currently used in Braille devices). The device is thus smaller, lighter and less expensive than previous technology